Altitude sickness is a real thing
Altitude sickness, also known as soroche and one of the things you should know before traveling to Peru, is a type of hangover that occurs at altitudes of 8,200 feet/2,500 meters or higher. When you see this information on paper, it looks a little different. However, once you arrive in Cusco, Huaraz, or any other must-see destination that is not near the sea, you will notice that the air is thinner. Symptoms vary from person to person, but they typically include tiredness, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, headache, high heart rate, and loss of appetite. They usually vanish within two or three days. Here are some pointers to help you avoid altitude sickness in Peru:
- Relax and take it easy
- Avoid alcohol & drugs
- Drink lots of water
- Go lower and acclimatise
- Drink coca tea
- Get an Oxishot!
It is worth noting that people flying directly to Cusco in are more prone to suffering from altitude sickness, since their body has less time to adapt to the sudden change of altitude. On the other hand, when traveling by bus, people have a longer period of acclimatization and have better chances of handling the altitude.
